So I looked at the blog this morning and was discouraged with the date of my last post.  How has it been two and a half months since I posted an entry???  At first I would look at the calendar, make some justifiable excuse and move on to one of the many crisis that have occurred in the past few weeks and feel content with my lack of dedication to writing.  Eventually I just stopped logging in so that I would no longer have to directly face my lack of accomplishment and that is when the calls and inquiries started.  Why haven’t you posted?  Is everything alright? and so on.  Now I think everyone has given up and I don’t blame them.

Ever been in the desert?  I don’t mean physically as much as figuratively.  It took me some time (obviously) to gain insight into my situation and to gracefully get my head around it so that I could resume life as well as blogging.  So here is the deal.  In the last two and half months I have been stripped of all things essential and material to conducting everyday life in the way I had become accustomed.

In the course of about 4 weeks, my two vacuum cleaners broke, had both repaired and with in five minutes of use one caught on fire (back to the shop), my carpet shampooer broke, my car air conditioner broke (twice), my washing machine broke and I fixed it only to have it break again (still broken),  been going to the laundromat, tractor repairs have been at an all time high and the grand finale……My Man Of The North backed into the hay cutter with the Suburban in broad daylight, on his birthday and tore up the back door.  $3700 worth of damage and another insurance claim.

I am still in the partial throes of materialistic mayhem, but it has taught me a great deal about myself, what I can handle and what is important.  Frankly,  I have learned how unimportant all of this “stuff” really is.  I mean we all say that but when actually faced with a family of six, no washing machine, no vacuum, no air conditioning, driving everywhere in a chewed up car, see how you really feel.  It is awful, horrible and most of all makes you question everything you are.

In swimming, during the off-season, swimmers spend time working on their physical strength out of the pool in addition to normal work outs in the pool.  It is called dryland training.  It is hard, physically uncomfortable, and requires a higher level of committment from the athlete.  In my thoughts about coming back to the blog and the need to explain where I have been it came to me that in some ways I have been in dryland training.  It is summer after all “The Off Season”  so to speak and I have definitely experienced a lack of comfort that at the very least has been HARD.

But the purpose of dryland training is to strengthen your core which ultimately will make you stronger, faster, and in better mental condition during the race.  So, I believe that this time in my life is only preparing me to perform at my greatest potential in the race of life as the new season approaches.  And as an additional bonus I have regained my blogging presence with an abundance to write about for weeks to come.

Last, in this time of reflection I have spent time with my Lord searching for greater understanding and peace.  His explanation was short, sweet and direct.

First, Philippians 4:6-7, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace that transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Second, James 1:2-4, Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking  anything.

God always has a way of hitting you right where you live.  Enough said.  I promise I will be back.  Sooner that later.